20/08/2022
PLATEAU STATE POLICE RESPOND to ALLEGATIONS THEY ARRESTED FUN-SEEKERS UNLAWFULLY
Police authorities in the state have responded to allegations that they arrested 13 fun-seekers in the ECWA staff area of Farin-gada in Jos, arbitrarily.
In a statement released by the Command and signed by ALFRED ALABO on behalf of the commissioner of Police, Bartholomew Onyeka, they describe as fake news reports making the rounds that its anti-cultism unit arrested legitimate youths who set out for hiking and were unlawfully arrested.
The Police insists it acted on credible intelligence gathered by its personnel leading to the arrest of suspected kidnappers in a cave referred to as “Rock Number One” used by secret cult groups for initiation and other nefarious activities.
The statement adds that upon embarking on search and other investigations in the homes of the suspects, rams of Indian h**p and military camouflage were discovered as exhibits, which will be duly tendered before the court of law when prosecution commences.
The Police on August 10, 2022 at about 0205hrs arrested a group of 13 youths who embarked on what is a routine exercise among young people in Jos, the Plateau state Capital.
Contrary to what the Police now say, community dwellers in the Down Base area of Farin-gida, including local vigilante members told sources the arrested youths were law-abiding citizens with no criminal track-record whatsoever.
Narrating what transpired, the caretaker of the compound at Down Base in the ECWA Staff School, Jos where the 15 hikers reside has said “The hike was planned by members of the compound, in fact I was supposed to join them but I had some delays on my end”.
A sister to Johnson Alagi, one of the arrested individuals, Victoria Alagi, while speaking to JayFM said, “On the day my brother was arrested, we spoke with him in the morning only to later hear that he has been arrested by the Police. He has never been a criminal, and the police could have discharged their duty professionally without abusing the rights of the 13 of them like they have done”.
She calls on well-meaning individuals in the society to ensure that justice is served to the arrested youths.
Those arrested include; Nnamdi Victor, Solomon Ojobo, Deborah Edeh- the only female, Wisdom Sadiq, Johnson Alagi, Augustine Ogbole, Eze Chiwuemeka, Ishaya Ayuba, Manasseh Amba-Omoabak.
OTHERS include Nnanyelnao Chigozie, Ezeaputa Chigozie and Bulus Emmanuel.
The Police have since dragged the suspects before Hon. Hisent at a Central Area Court in Jos.
They have been remanded at the criminal investigation department and charged for criminal conspiracy, assembling for the purpose of committing brigandage and unlawful society.
The case has also been adjourned to September 19, 2022 for hearing.
- Source: Jayfm
